LafargeHolcim ramp up CO2-reduction partnership
Collaboration with Solidia Technologies to capture CO2 in building materials agreed until 2025
RAMPING up their partnership with Solidia Technologies to reduce CO2 across their value chain, LafargeHolcim’s collaboration with the US-based cement and concrete technology company, which began in 2013, has now been formally agreed until 2025, with an option for a further extension.
Together, the two companies’ solutions not only emit up to 30% less CO2 during cement production, but also capture and store CO2, leading to a 70% carbon-reduced concrete.
In collaboration with Solidia, LafargeHolcim will continue to develop new, innovative solutions focused on non-reinforced concrete structures and paving while also aiming to make it increasingly applicable for structural applications.
Marcel Cobuz (pictured), LafargeHolcim’s region head for Europe, said: ‘Leading the way in low-carbon construction, we plan to facilitate a wider and faster roll-out of the innovative Solidia solution across our operations around the world. By scaling up Solidia’s solutions, we can fast-forward our vision of carbon-neutral cities.’
Tom Schuler, president and chief executive officer of Solidia Technologies, added: ‘By providing market access, technical expertise and market intelligence, LafargeHolcim helped us develop a better cement and concrete.
‘Thanks to our collaboration, we are in market and expanding. Moving forward, we will advance carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies and develop solutions for the full, global concrete market.’
Key US customers have already placed orders for Solidia cement to produce concrete paving blocks using the Solidia technology.
In addition to delivering a low-CO2 product from a low-CO2 cement and permanent CO2 sequestration in concrete materials, Solidia cement can also increase precast production output with full product strength in less than 24 hours (compared with 28 days for traditional concrete) and less equipment downtime for cleaning. Moreover. Solidia concrete products are more durable and have a wider colour palette and no efflorescence.
Industrial pilots are currently also ongoing in Canada, Germany, France and the UK, with further pilots being prepared.
Initially, the required CO2 will be supplied by third parties while Solidia supply the required curing chambers in which the CO2 is injected into the concrete. Over the long term, LafargeHolcim aim to utilize CO2 captured from cement kilns in North America and Europe.
More than 50% of LafargeHolcim’s research resources are focused on low-carbon products and solutions, with 40% of patents currently in this area. Working across the entire construction value chain, approximately one-third of the Group’s 2019 sales were in sustainable solutions and products.
